In an attempt to determine the most cost effective and energy efficient home, the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) is sponsoring a performance test administered by the Systems Building Research Alliance (SBRA), using three separate test homes built by Southern Energy Homes (Sehomes), each at a different level of efficiency. The first home meets the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) thermal standards; the second is an Energy Star home; the third meets the DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home. A subsidiary of Clayton Homes, Sehomes will host the testing at its Russellville, Alabama facility where all three homes will be on display beginning Aug. 8, 2014, according to mfrtech.com. The SBRA will monitor the energy efficiency of each home to determine the feasibility of its marketability thru July 2015. MHProNews understands one of the test homes is the only manufactured home nationwide that qualifies for the DOE Challenge Home Program. ##

(Photo credit: wbirtv.com–Clayton Home/Tennessee Valley Authority)